Our Love Story: Part 1

Here’s the thing about this love story of ours. It’s long. And drawn out. And mushy gushy. And even a bit cheesy. But it’s true. And I’ve decided to take my time writing it, capturing all the special details of those moments I never want to forget. So if mushy-gushy, cheesy love stories aren’t your thing, I totally get that. Just know that I’m writing this as a gift—to my family, and my children, and their children—and also, for Ben and me—so that on those days when the kids are screaming, the laundry is overflowing and the bills are rolling in…on those days when it all just seems so hard, we’ll have this to remind us of those first moments when we fell in love. And if sappy, detail ridden love stories are your thing, well then you’ve come to the right place. All previous chapters can be found here.

***

I was just getting out of a serious relationship.
I was taking a break from boys. Finishing up my Sophomore year at UCSB and getting ready for my transfer to USC. Studying, working three jobs, and figuring out what I wanted out of life–I had decided that would be my focus for the next two years.
No more of this “falling in love” business.
My heart needed a break.

So there I was. On my lunch break.
I worked at the UCSB events center. My title, facility coordinator–which was just a glorified term for janitor. I mopped up mystery substances, re-filled the toilet paper rolls, scraped gum off the wood floors and shined the stainless steel water fountains. It was humbling and it was real. It was just the job I needed for this transitional phase of my life.

But back to my lunch break…

There I was, eating an apple and sipping hot chocolate with those mini freeze-dried marshmallows. My three sizes too large regulation polo work shirt was tucked into my favorite Abercrombie green cargo pants with frayed edges from dragging under my shoes for the last 2 years. Despite the 85 degree weather, I was wearing tall Uggs and my very blonde hair was styled in a left-over barrel wave from the night before. My feet were propped up on the lunch room table and I took loud bites from my apple while reading the California Drivers Ed handbook. That’s right…I was 20 and still didn’t have my drivers license (but that’s a story for another post).

I was enjoying the peace and quiet. This was the one room in the entire Events Center where I knew I wouldn’t be disturbed. I was avoiding the overwhelming testosterone from the men’s basketball team and 200 plus high school players who were attending the camp that week. Remember, I was avoiding boys.

I was so engrossed in reading about which way I was supposed to face my wheels while parking down hill that I hardly noticed when he walked into the room. I was startled away from my handbook when I heard someone not so casually clear their throat. I raised my eyes just in time to see a guy, who looked just a bit older than me, quickly look away and go back to setting out sack lunches on the tables.

My heart skipped a beat.

Oh no, don’t even think about it Ashley.
Look away.
No boys.I went back to reading, but couldn’t help and steal glances at his wildly spiky hair do and the obvious dimples on both cheeks even though he wasn’t smiling. He was wearing a camp counselors uniform of basketball shorts with red Nikes and UCSB staff t-shirt. He was an athlete, I could tell. And I liked that.

Just as I began to stare a bit harder in an attempt to guess his age, he looked over his shoulder and our eyes met for the briefest of seconds. I quickly looked down into my handbook. But it was too late. The temperature in the room began to rise and I could feel my heart beating in my face.

Head down.
Keep reading.
Avoid further eye contact.

My heart continued to race as I did my best to focus on the words in front of me. And then he spoke:
Boy: I’m just setting up lunch for the Men’s Basketball team. You can eat with us if you want.

Was that a pity invite?
Was he flirting?
Just being nice?
Don’t analyze Ashley.
Just stick to your plan.Me: I’m okay.And then I quickly and awkwardly packed up my snacks and papers and rushed out of the lunch room.

Flustered, I walked across the bustling gym, through the corridor and into my supervisors office. I threw down my bag, made a loud sigh and plopped down on the couch. Silence. D, my supervisor, kept his head forward, sending an email on his computer.

I sighed again. This time louder.

D: Aren’t you supposed to be on your lunch break.Me: I was. Until I was interrupted by the basketball team.D: Would it kill you to eat with them.Me: It might.

I sat there, lost in my thoughts about those dreamy dimples while D finished up his email. He clicked send, and then swivelled around to face me.

D: Listen. We need to work on this chip you have on your shoulder.Me: I don’t have a chip on my shoulder. I’m just focusing on me for a while.
D: Hmph.And he swivelled back around to face his computer.

A few minutes passed before I gained the courage to casually ask D about the boy I had just sort of met in the lunch room.
Me: So whats the story with the Camp Counselor with the red Nikes. I haven’t seen him here before.D: He’s one of the coaches brother. Just visiting for the week and helping out. Why?Me: No reason.

And just as quickly as I had left the lunch room earlier, I grabbed my bag and rushed out to the main corridor before D could ask any more questions. It was just about time to start my shift again, so I headed into the restroom, caught a glimpse of my disheveled appearance in the mirror and nearly gasped. I quickly pulled a Scarlet O’Hara cheek squeeze to get some color into my face, added some lip gloss and attempted to flatten down all the fly away hairs dancing around on my head. It was a lost cause.

So he’s only here for the week.
What could be the harm then…

I took a deep breath and gave myself a semi-confident look in the mirror.
I was only half-sure of what I was about to do.
I gave my cheeks one last squeeze, marched out of the restroom, walked across the gym, into the lunch room and right up to the boy with the dimples who was now enjoying lunch with the basketball team and coaching staff.

Me: By the way, in case you were wondering, my name’s Ashley.And then I smiled, turned, and walked away.

Ashley…can I buy the movie rights? I don’t know…maybe Jennifer Aniston could play you. Can’t wait for part two. Both of my sons went to college in Santa Barbara. They played tennis at Westmont, a beautiful campus and a great place to be. Don’t know when you were there, but I was actually a bit sad when they graduated…didn’t have an excuse to go as often. I’m getting the popcorn ready for tomorrow.

Seriously, I just now if we were neighbors, then we’d be the best of friends. I know our husbands would get around great, too. This really makes me want to sit down and right out mine and Nathan’s love story. I’ve only wrote about the day he asked me to be his girlfriend…but there are so many more fun stories to tell!

p.s. I CANNOT wait to see what you all dressed up as for Halloween!
p.p.s. Did you get my FB message I sent you a while back?

Ha, This is amazing. Of course you would. Also, I didn’t get my license until 20 either. And I failed the first test because I had only “practiced” actual real driving ONE time before I went in to try for it. Oh well.

Brilliant post Ashley, so funny as I don’t think I would have gone up and said anything either but then if it’s meant to be, sometimes we do things that surprise us and then later realize we did something so uncharacteristic because that’s just what was meant to happen…can’t wait to read more! Don’t make us wait too long please!

First of all I LOVE the beginning of this story. When I met my husband I was also in a “no boys. just me” time in my life. Funny how that happens….Also, I was 20 when I got my license, too. Glad I’m not alone. As always, thank you for sharing….I am starting to feel the blog bug biting me.

Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site,
how can i subscribe for a blog website? The account helped me a acceptable deal.
I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept

Archives

Categories

Sometimes I receive products/services compliments of various companies. I never commit to sharing a positive review, but if I like the product and think my readers will too - I often mention it here. I am also a member of affiliate programs. This means if you purchase an item from a link I provide to those shops, I sometimes receive a commission. I only share products and services that I would personally use and think are a good fit for my readers. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that help support our family.